Shovel and support therefor.



J. AUSTIN. I SHOVEL AND SUPPORT THEREFOR.

APPLICATION TILED OUT. 21, 1907.

Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

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Q/vi-hmomzo J. AUSTIN. SHOVEL AND SUPPORT THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 1907.

Patented Sept. 15,1908.

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J. AUSTIN.

SHOVEL AND SUPPORT THEREFOR.

APPLIGATION'FILED 0M. 21, 1907.

898,623. Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

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JOHN AUSTIN, OF ST. REGIS, MONTANA.

SHOVEL AND SUPPORT THEREFOR.

Application filed October 21, 1997.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

Serial No. 398,510.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN AUSTIN, acitizen of the United States, residingat St. Regis, in the county of Missoula and State of Montana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Shovels and SupportsTherefor; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in excavating mechanism andparticularly to means for easily manipulating and securing the largestpossible amount of work from the use of a shovel.

The invention comprises the producing of a frame work and sustainingmeans upon which a shovel of any desired construction is designed to beositioned so that the sustaining means ant frame work may be used as amovable fulcrum for the shovel.

The invention further comprises the provision of a swinging supportsecured to a sleeve in which a shovel handle is positioned so that thesleeve together with the support may act as a movable and swingingfulcrum in using the shovel, in excavating and shoveling material.

The object in view is the provision of a swinging support to which ashovel may be removably secured so as to have a movable fulcrum that maybe easily and conveniently shifted so as always to be able to use thesame as a fulcrum during the normal operation of the shovel.

Another object in view is the provision of a frame work that may besecured to a car or above an excavation of any kind to which isremovably secured a sustaining fulcrum as a chain for providing meansfor holding a shovel so that the same may excavate the matter desired tobe excavatedor move the material from the car with ease and rapidity,without compelling the operator to bear the weight of the shovel andalso the load.

With these and further objects in view, the invention comprises certainnovel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will behereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is an edge view of a supportingframe and swinging fulcrum secured thereto, the same being shown inconnection with a car. Fig.

2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail, fragmentary,sectional view of a sleeve and sustaining means connected therewithforming a part of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a side elevation ofthe supporting frame and elevating means secured thereto, forming amodified form of the present in vention. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of aswing ing fulcrum and shovel positioned therein forming a part of thepresent invention, the same being shown in connection with a sustainingmember for permitting the shovel to excavate earth. Fig. 6 is a sideelevation of a frame and a slightly modified form of supporting fulcrum.Fig. 7 is a detail, fragmentary, sectional view through a supportingsleeve forming a part of the fulcrum shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is adetail, fragmentary, side elevation of a slightly modified form ofsupporting sleeve. Fig. 9 is a detail, sectional view through the handleof the shovel at the point of connection between the shovel proper andthe handle.

In using shovels and the like for excavating or for moving matter inbulk, it is customary to simply force the shovel into the matter desiredto be moved, and then press down on the handle using part of the earthas a fulcrum to loosen the part above the shovel. The shovel togetherwith the loosened mat ter is then raised and'the shovel is swung forcreating momentum for throwing the matter from the shovel to any desiredplace. By

this way of using the shovel, not only the shovel must be elevated, butalso the material being moved. In addition also the fulcrum usedsometimes is not very satisfactory and consequently the operator useshis knee as a fulcrum so as to more readily remove the matter desired tobe moved.

In the present invention I have designed to provide means that willprovide a ready fulcrum and also supporting means for any ordinary orpreferred form of shovel.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 indicates a car frame ofany desired construction upon which is mounted a frame 2. The frame 2 isconstructed preferably with side members 3 and 4 and a cross beam ofsupport 5, as clearly seen in Fig. 2. The supporting beams or members 3and 4 may be of any desired length so as to support cross beams 5 at anydesired height above the material being moved or excavated. Secured toupright or member 3 is a supporting bar 6 and secured to upright 4 is another supporting bar 7 that is designed to normally rest along the upperedge of a car or the like. Suitable braces 8, S and 9, 9 are providedfor holding uprights 3 and 4 in a car positioned substantially at aright angle to bars 6 and 7. Secured to the ends of bar 6 are projectingmembers or ears 10, 10 and 11, 11 for passing on each side of the sidesof the car 1, as clearly seen in Fig. 2. Set screws 12 and 13 aresecured to members 10 and 11 so as to hold bar 6 in correct position.Bar 7 is also provided with ears 14 and a set screw 15 in a similarmanner to the way in which bar 6 is provided with depending members orears.

Beam 5 is provided with apertures 16 and 17 upon each end of the beamsrespectively, so that uprights 3 and 4 may be adjusted to any width ofcar or other device to which the same may be applied. Surrounding bar orbeam 5 is a sleeve 18 that is slidably mounted thereon and is designedto support a chain 19 which in turn supports a pair of supportingmembers or rings 20. The rings 20 are spaced apart any desirabledistance but are joined together firmly by a connecting arm or bar 21.The supporting member 20 is designed to have positioned therein a sleeve22. The sleeve 22 is loosely positioned in the rings of member 20, butis prevented from longitudinal movement by a collar 23 carrying a setscrew 24 that is positioned between the rings of member 20. Preferably Imake the collar 23 of such size as to loosely contact with the rings ofmember 20 so as to not ermit any unnecessary movement thereetween.Positioned within sleeve 22 is a handle 25 of any desired kind ofshovel. The sleeve 22 is designed to be made of such a size as topermithandle 25 to tightly fit therein, so as to permit easy movement ofthe handle so that the fulcrum provided by chain 19, sleeve 22 andsurrounding parts may be varied readily and as often as desired. Inorder to counter-balance the material being shoveled or moved I mayprovide a weight 26 held in place at any desired 29, as clearly seen inFigs. 2 and 9.

oint along the handle 25 by a set screw 27. 11 providing a shovel Ipreferably provide one that is comparatively very strong because byusing the fulcrum created by the supporting frame, chain 19 and sleeve22,

heavy materials may be easily moved and operated upon, which would beliable to break the shovels if not strongly made.

In order to provide a shovel of this description I provide'one that maybe of any shape, but of comparatively heavy material and formed withreceiving members 28 and Members 28 and 29 are formed integral with theshovel proper and form a kind of socket in which handle 25 ispositioned. In order to hold handle 25 firmly in position I providesecuring members or bolts 30 that pass through both members 28 and 29and handle 30, as clearly seen in Fig. 9. Members 28 and 29 are bothformed with raised portions or ridges 31 and 32 for forming a bracingmember. By this means a shovel is provided that has avery strongreceiving socket for receiving a handle as 25 and one that is designedto resist strains that may be brought upon the shovel.

In constructing the present invention various slightly modified forms inthe detail construction may be provided without departing from thespirit of the invention. In Fig. 6 will be observed a slight change inthe supporting sleeve but within the spirit of the invention. Referringmore particularly to Fig. 6 there is provided uprights 3 and 4 and across beam 5 together with a supporting bar or beam 6, sleeve 18 and.chain 19. To the chain 19 is provided a supporting sleeve 33 thatisde'signed to encircle the handle 25 of a shovel. The sleeve 33 issecured to chain 19 by means of a suitable swivel 34, as clearly seen inFig. 7, so that the shovel may receive any pivotal movement withouttangling chain 19. Retaining braces or bolts 35 and 36 are provided forholding the uprights 3 and 4 in position. Bars 35 and 36 are formed hookshaped in contour to engage the flange on cars that are of thisconstruction.

In Fig. 8 will be observed another slightly modified form of supportingsleeve. In this figure the sleeve is made in two parts, as rings 37 and38. Rings 37 and 38 are connected by a ournaled or pivotal bar39 whichhas journaled thereon a pivotal supporting member 40 which is secured toa flexible supporting member as chain 19. A handle as 25 of a shovel isdesigned to pass through rings 37 and 38 and to tightly fit therein soas not to permit any longitudinal movement.

In Fig. 4 I have shown means for varyin the elevation quickly and easilyof the shove l during operation or at any desired time. In this figure aframe work of any desired kind is provided as for instance the kindshown in Fig. 2, which is provided with a sleeve 18 similar to sleeve18. To sleeve 18 is pivotally secured a pulley 41 through which a cable42 of any desired kind is designed to pass. Positioned below pulley 41and designed to accommodate cable 42 is another pulley 43 that isdesigned to engage connecting bar 21 of the preferred construction or toengage any of the supporting members that surround the handle 25. Bythis construction a shovel full of material may be elevated to anydesired point before its discharge from the shovel. In working this formof fulcrum or sustaining means, the cable 42 is allowed to pay out so asto lower the shovel, and after the shovel has received its load it isbrought to a substantially horizontal position in the usual manner byforcing down the grip 44, and then giving a swinging motion fordischarging the material. If it is desired to raise the shovel, cable 42is pulled during the swinging movement of the shovel, or before as mayseem most desirable.

Referring to Fig. 5, the same shows how the present invention may beadapted for excavating places in the earth. When eX- cavating places inthe earth, a cross bar or member, as cable 45, is provided that may besupported by any means, either by uprights as 3 and 4, or as shown inFig. 4 by posts 46 and 47 that are driven into the earth. Cable 45 isstretched between these two osts and is designed to support a chain orcab e 48 which in turn supports a supporting member as 20 as heretoforedescribed.

By providing a swingingsustaining means or fulcrum according to thepresent invention, a shovel of any desired kind may be supported inposition for being forced into the earth or any material designed to bemoved and then pivotally swung to a substantially horizontal position,and from this position moved for discharging the material in the usualmanner that shovels are used. It will, of course, be evident that acable, rope or the like may be substituted for the chain, and that thesame may be of any desired length so that the shovel may be positionedat any predetermined distance above the earth as may be desired. Thesustaining rod or chain 19 may be lengthened or shortened for variouspurposes as may be desired, for instance as the material being excavatedis moved, the cable or chain is lengthened so as to keep the shovel nearthe material for more easy operation.

What I claim isz- 1. In a device of the character described, a frame, afulcrum, a chain for supporting said fulcrum means for mounting a shovelon said.

fulcrum and means for varying the position of said chain.

'2. In a device of the character described, a movable frame, means foradjusting the position of said frame, a swinging fulcrum secured to saidframe, and a sleeve for removably securing a shovel to said fulcrum.

3. In a device of the character described, a frame, a fulcrum securedthereto, and a sleeve for securing the shovel to said fulcrum. a

4. In a device of the character described, a frame, a movable fulcrumsecured thereto, and a sleeve for securing a shovel to said fulcrum.

5. In a device of the character described, a frame, a swinging fulcrumsecured thereto, means for changing the position of said fulcrum on saidframe, and a sleeve for securing to said fulcrum a shovel.

6. In a device of the character described, a

frame, a fulcrum secured thereto, a chain for varying the position ofsaid fulcrum, and a sleeve for securing a shovel to said fulcrum.

7 In a device of the character described, a frame, a movable fulcrumsecured to said frame, means for varying the position of said fulcrum,and a sleeve for loosely securing a shovel to said fulcrum.

8. In a device of the character described, a frame, a fulcrum securedthereto, a sleeve secured to said fulcrum, and means for holding saidsleeve in position, said sleeve being adapted to receive a shovelhandle.

9. In a device of the character described, a frame, a swinging fulcrum,a sleeve adapted to receive the handle of a shovel, sustaining meanssurrounding said sleeve and secured to said fulcrum, and means forholding said sleeve in said sustaining-means.

10. I11 a device of the character described, a frame, a swingingfulcrum, a sustaining member pivotally secured to said fulcrum andformed with a ring and a sleeve passing through said ring adapted to'receive the handle of a shovel.

11. In a device of the character described, a frame, a swinging fulcrum,a chain for sup porting said fulcrum means for removably securing ashovel to said fulcrum, and means for varying the swinging movement ofsaid fulcrum.

12. In a device of the character described, a frame, a swinging fulcrum,a pivotally mounted sleeve for loosely securing thereto a shovel, andmeans for balancing said shovel on said fulcrum.

13. In a device of the character described, a frame, a movable fulcrum,a sustaining member comprising a plurality of journal members, and meansfor connecting the same, said journal members being designed to supporta shovel.

14. In a device of the character described, a frame, a movable fulcrum,a sustaining member comprising a plurality of rings, and a connectingmember, means for limiting the position of said ring, said rings beingdesigned to support a shovel.

15. In a device of the character described, comprising a support, ashovel formed with socket members for receiving a handle, said socketmembers be ng formed with ridges for strengthening the same, and meansfor loosely securing the handle of said shovel pivotally to saidsupport.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN AUSTIN.

Witnesses:

ODEN ODELL, J. O. STRANDMARK.

